Considering
myself a driven person, I strive to press on, taking the apostle Paul as my
model. I raced for years and loved to liken my walk in life to a race:
keeping my eyes on the finish line and staying focused on the task at hand.
That task has been to live a life worthy of my calling as a Christian and
to represent Christ to the world.
Yet,
at times the level of intensity drops.
My curiosity leads me off the well-beaten trail of tourism to study how
people really live their lives. I stop
on hikes to take photos and am forced to run to catch with my party. Even a recent three and a half hour trip
home from Las Vegas turned into twelve as my kids and I stopped at every place
that hinted of fun or interest.
My
grandfather was an extreme hiker and told me once that for every so many steps
up, he stopped to rest. David, in Psalm
23 speaks of being guided by the Shepherd, even walking through the valley of
the shadow of death. Yet, he stopped to rest in green pastures. I’m sure he sprawled out on the green grass
and noticed the wild flowers and the sound of the gentle trickle of water just
before refreshing his dry, parched soul.
That
is where I am right now. I have stepped
off the path. A part of me feels guilty for not doing ministry, for not blogging,
and for not working on my upcoming mission trip to Africa.
Yet,
I cannot seem to bring my mind back into focus. I conclude that it is all right
for now. Maybe this is just one of
those ‘Pauses on the Path’.
Beautiful! And honest. Stepping off the past....to rest. Yes.
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing.
Such honesty and so beautifully written. Perhaps rest is what you need.
ReplyDeleteI find I need to take a step off the path occasionally to get my bearings again and to decide what is important to pursue in the race of life, Shanda. Praying for renewal and focus for you. Blessings!
ReplyDeleteYep, the Spirit finds us in rest. Leave any guilt by the wayside and enjoy the pausing. You'll be refreshed in spirit and probably inspired by the Spirit, too.
ReplyDeleteIt IS all right for now, Shanda. No need to feel guilty. Leave that at the Cross. It's there that you will find that Matthew 11: 28 perfect rest.
ReplyDeleteLove it! I love your analogy, as I prepare for my mountain trail run tomorrow. I'm bringing my camera, so you know I'll be stopping along the way. Blessings as you pause.
ReplyDeleteOh yes, friend, it is OK, it is good for your soul to pause. To remember that God loves you whether you are producing something or not... whether you are working or just the child who sits and receives his gifts and his grace. He loves you simply as His child. It is good to sit and rest in that.
ReplyDeleteEmily
www.weakandloved.com
Thank you for sharing. As always. Can we pause on the path together when I return from Haiti and catch up? So much to fill you in on momma! Love you.
ReplyDeleteWhat are those amazing flowers, are they some ind of moonflowers? I always say that life is all about the journey, not the destination. Some of the best things ever are off the path, and I wouldn't miss them for the world. I am not about structure and rigid schedules.
ReplyDeleteLike this post.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful and honest. How lovely. Stopped over from Lisa Jo's. Savor and enjoy this season of your life. Thanks for sharing your gift here on these pages.
ReplyDeleteGood for you to take time to pause along the path! There are so many blessings and God's creations that if we don't pause we miss. Example:we see the beautiful flowers out of the corner of our eye, as we rush,rush,rush to do everything! We did see them our of the corner of our eye, but did we smell the beautiful fragrance? God created each flower with its own unique fragrance! Remember there is a saying, Don't forget to stop (pause)and smell the roses!
ReplyDeleteK.S:)
I so love this post. I think it is very important to step of the path and refresh yourself with quiet time and time to just enjoy some moments of peace. After going through some grief; you need a few moments to just perhaps grieve a little more; or just take a deep breath and enjoy. I think you do need a pause in your path.
ReplyDeleteThe Savior did take time to rest.
Blessings to you!
We all need times to pause...May God's comfort and peace be yours in this time of transition.
ReplyDeleteSometimes, we all require to "come aside and rest awhile" and give ourselves time to adjust to new seasons in our lives.
ReplyDeleteI'm so glad I noticed a link to your site again and have saved it on my blog.
There is a time and season for everything. You have invested so much - and are going through a season of grief. I pray that as you walk through this season Jesus' arms will surround you and give you rest. And I pray that on the other side you will find renewed strength and vigor for the work He has for you. <3 you!!!
ReplyDeleteWhile stepping off the path doesn't always lead to goodness, but in the way you describe it, for the times when the step we take doesn't part us from God's will, but from some of the hubbub we have created for ourselves...these are the times that stepping off the path enlarges our view.
ReplyDeleteYou are so right: stepping off isn't always good. I have to watch that! There was some mixed meaning in my post.
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